| “ | I'm a survivor, Prince Harald. I will always find a place. | ” |
–Godwin to Harald Sigurdsson | ||
Godwin of Sussex (Old English: Godwine) is the chief counsellor to the King of England. He becomes the Earl of Wessex.
Biography
Early Life
Godwin is from Sussex. His father committed crimes against the king, and his family was stripped of everything.
Godwin grew up at his large and grand family home two miles from the local village. All the children played in the fields together. Godwin was a sweet boy, but his father's betrayal changed everything. The loss of his home, title, and wealth, and dealing with the shame of this, made him angry and bitter. His mother died shortly after his father's imprisonment. He was taken in by John Fletcher, also known as John Barr, but better known as the Bear, who became his guardian. John Fletcher was Godwin's father's retainer, and was utterly loyal and devoted to Godwin.
Season 1
Godwin is in King Æthelred's carriage returning from the former Danelaw back to London. Æthelred tells Godwin that he believes Godwin is keeping something from him. Godwin tells him about the rumors of a potential Viking invasion.
Godwin tricks the ealdormen and Edmund into thinking he is orchestrating a conspiracy to drive out King Canute and the Vikings. But he has really sided with Canute and orchestrates Edmund's death by making it appear to be an accident.
Godwin rescues Emma's children from Olaf's guards by dressing up as a monk who has come to read the Bible with the children. Olaf's pious guards let him through. He pretends to lead the children in prayer, but actually tells them to close their eyes and pray so they don't see what he is about to do. Godwin then offers the guards communion. When the guards kneel, he stabs them to death. Godwin then takes the two boys and carries them away to Emma.
Godwin has out maneuvered Ælfgifu by working with Emma and Sweyn. Emma is back on the throne of England and Godwin remains Earl of Wessex and on her side.
Season 2
Godwin is in a secret relationship with Queen Emma's lady-in-waiting Aelfwynn. He tells Aelfwynn that he dreams of his children sitting on the throne of England one day. When Godwin gives Aelfwynn an engagement ring, she asks if it is from his family. Godwin tells her that he has nothing from his family's home in Sussex because Sussex was stripped away as punishment for his father's deeds. The king spared his father's ring, and gave it to Godwin as a reminder of his father's crimes. Godwin, who hates his father, disposed of it when he left Sussex.
Canute decides the best way to repair the harm done by the death of Aelfwynn is for Godwin to marry Princess Gytha. Godwin and Gytha get along well and seem to share a genuine affection with each other. They first bond over their shared affection for Aelfwynn. Gytha is willing to marry Godwin because she thinks he is a good man, even though she knows he'll never love her as much as he loved Aelfwynn.
Season 3
King Canute, Queen Emma, and Godwin have arrived in Rome to try and make a deal with Pope John XIX. Canute is unhappy and offended that he must go through the Cardinal instead of speaking directly to the Pope, and that he has to kiss the ring of the Pope. Canute offends the Pope and the Cardinal, and the deal is called off. Godwin goes to the Cardinal and bribes him to get the deal back on the table.
Emma counsels Canute that they need the support of the Church so they must do what is necessary. Godwin arrives and tells them that he’s solved the problem. Emma doesn’t think a bribe is a long-term solution, but Godwin doesn’t listen to her.
Personality
Godwin is the ultimate political survivor. He shifts his beliefs and alliances to ensure his continued position at court. Godwin is skilled at navigating and manipulating politics to increase his own power. He is always trying to recover the status lost by his father's criminal behavior. Godwin will stop at nothing to maintain influence with the royal family, whoever it is. He works to manipulate Edmund for his own agenda. He hates his father for getting their family's title, land, and possessions stripped from them.
In History
Earl Godwin is based on Godwin of Wessex. He became one of the most powerful earls in England under King Cnut the Great and his successors. King Cnut made him the first Earl of Wessex. Godwin married Gytha Thorkelsdóttir and they had many children, including Harold Godwinson, who became King of England, and Edith of Wessex, who married King Edward the Confessor. His son, Harold Godwinson, will become the last Anglo-Saxon King of England before his death at the Battle of Hastings to William the Conqueror on October 14, 1066. Godwin is presented as much older than he would have been at the time of the actual events depicted in the series. He was twelve years old at the time of Canute's invasion.
Trivia
- Godwin's father's name is changed from the historical record, which lists him as Wulfnoth, to Godwin of Sussex. His father is also made guilty of the crimes he was accused of, though historically sources are not clear if he was actually guilty. His father was accused of his crimes by Eadric Streona's brother.
- While Godwin kills Edmund in the series, Edmund's real killer is unknown.
Gallery
Appearances
| The Greenlanders | Viking | The Marshes | The Bridge |
| Miracle | The Last Daughter of Uppsala | Choices | The End of the Beginning |
| The Web of Fate | Towers of Faith | Pieces of the Gods | The Thaw |
| Birth and Rebirth | Leap of Faith | Pecheneg | The Reckoning |